Book Review “The Kill” by Evie Hunter

BOOK REVIEW (BLOGTOUR) NO: 173

Revenge Gangland Thriller

Length : 264 pages

Publisher : Boldwood Books

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB & Purchase Links

Secrets can’t stay hidden forever…

After six years in prison for a crime he did not commit, Sebastian Carter is out and determined to get answers about who set him up. He knows it’s someone close to him and Sebastian will make sure they pay.

Ava Harper is living a lie. Although she loves her job caring for young Lily Carter, her real reason for being in the Carter household is to get answers of her own – from none other than convicted murderer Sebastian.

Sebastian hates liars, but he’s intrigued by Ava. As he gets to know more about her, he wonders if the answers she’s looking for could solve his mystery too.

Or will getting too close to Ava risk them both getting killed…?

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3Gji2HE

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS

The Kill, well what can I say except well done Evie Hunter, another scorcher of a thriller that has you page turning with speed to get to the next dastardly deed.

The dashing Seb Carter is determined to find who had the audacity to frame him for murder. Now he is out and he wants answers. Does this mean he will have to reconcile with his estranged father, Jason to get the answers he so desperately wants.

Then in comes Seb’s sister, Lily’s new carerr, Ava. She is a stunner who has made Lily finally feel safe after her brutal attack, Is Ava all she seems though. It would appear that she too needs answers and Seb’s family seem to be at the very heart of it all.

Evie hunter is fabulous at creating just that right amount of underlying threat that runs through the whole book. Everyone appears to have been involved at some level yet these characters are still highly relatable and believable. Who wouldn’t want some kind of revenge after serving six years for a crime you did not commit. The tension spills out of every page and the more I read the more I admired Seb and Ava. They made a great team and I would love to see them together in the future. An all round solid read.

Author Bio –

Evie Hunter has written a great many successful regency romances as Wendy Soliman and is now redirecting her talents to produce dark gritty thrillers for Boldwood. For the past twenty years she has lived the life of a nomad, roaming the world on interesting forms of transport, but has now settled back in the UK.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wendy.soliman.author

Twitter https://twitter.com/Wendyswriter

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wendy_soliman/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/EvieHunter

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/evie-hunter-572c1816-05f2-47c2-9c13-6d10a229670b

With Thanks for the Advance Copy to …..

Rachel Gilbey

Evie Hunter

Boldwood Books

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Audio Book Review “Love, Loss and Life in Between” by Suzanne Rogerson. Narrated by Sandie Keane

BOOK REVIEW, AUDIO (BLOGTOUR) NO: 172

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB & Purchase Links

This collection of short stories gives a glimpse into life, love, loss, and the inexplicable in between. Includes themes of grief, finding hope, second chances, facing the consequences of your actions, and getting help from the unlikeliest of places.

• As Cecilia helps the dying, she questions what happens to their spirits. But is she ready to find out?
• Can a mother’s race through the New Forest save her son?

• Will visiting a medium bring Christina the closure she needs?
• Can an intruder help an old lady with her loneliness?
• Will the start of another wet and miserable Monday morning end with Maeve’s happy ever after.

This anthology includes the prize-winning flash fiction story Spirit Song.

Purchase Links

Love, Loss and Life In Between – Audible link  

Love, Loss and Life In Between – Amazon link

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS

What a great selection of short stories based around love, loss and life in between. A brilliant audio that makes for an interesting listen. Each story was brought to life superbly well by the narrator, Sandie Keane. her voice has an exceptional quality that made her very easy to listen to.

I particularly enjoyed Garden Therapy as I am a strong believer in the fact that gardening is so good for our mental health. It really is quite uplifting and shows how we can all move on from our pasts if we need to.

I found Suzanne’s writing style was wonderfully creative and really lent itself to this anthology. You really get drawn in and each story feels complete even though they are all short. She definitely gets to the heart of each one with a precision that makes you wonder how on earth she managed to create each differing story with such honesty. A great listen all round.

Author Bio –

Suzanne lives in Middlesex, England with her husband, two teenagers, a crazy cocker spaniel and an adopted cat that thinks she’s the boss.

Suzanne’s writing journey began at the age of twelve when she completed her first novel. Giving up work to raise a family gave her the impetus to take her attempts at novel writing beyond the first draft, and she is lucky enough to have a husband who supports her dream – even if he does occasionally hint that she might think about getting a proper job one day.

Now an author of four novels including the Silent Sea Chronicles trilogy and her debut, Visions of Zarua, plus three short story collections, Suzanne hopes the dreaded ‘W’ word will never rear its ugly head again!

Suzanne collects books, is interested in history and enjoys wandering around castles and old ruins whilst being immersed in the past. She likes to combine her love of nature and photography on family walks, but most of all she loves to escape with a great film, binge watch TV shows, or soak in a hot bubble bath with an ice cream and a book.

With Thanks for the Advance Audio to …..

Rachel Gilbey

Suzanne Rogerson

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Book Review “Death at Castle Cove” by Mary Grand

BOOK REVIEW (BLOGTOUR) NO : 171

Cosy Crime Mystery

Length : 344 pages

Publisher : Boldwood

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB & Purchase Links

Death at Castle Cove

Island life suits Susan, and she can’t imagine ever moving from her beloved Isle of Wight. So it gives her real pleasure to see her young lodger Colette settle in to life by the sea, especially knowing that she has such a troubled past.

Susan’s days are comfortingly routine, starting every morning by exercising her beloved Rocco on Ventnor beach with her fellow dog walkers. The group may have bonded over their fondness for their canine companions, but over time their friendships have deepened.

So, when Colette dies in suspicious circumstances at Castle Cove, Susan is devastated to realise that the dog walking group were the last to see Colette alive, and one of her friends must have been responsible for her death. 

And when Susan begins to suspect that the police are minded to put Colette’s death down to an accident, Susan decides she won’t rest until she solves the mystery and finds the murderer.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3WKX9fA

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 5 STARS PLUS (5 is not enough!!)

Dogs dogs and a few more dogs, murder, more dogs, walking in the beautiful surroundings. dogs, beaches oh have I mentioned dogs?

Mary is the Master (Mistress?) of crafting a great mystery thriller with plenty of suspects to keep you wondering who on earth is the killer. I am not going to lie I actually got a pen and paper and wrote down all the clues, well the ones that I perceived to be clues so that I could join the audacious Susan on her sleuthing journey. I have been caught out by Mary and her red herrings before, so I thought “not this time Mary” I was so convinced I was on the right track, turn the page, oh great nope not my prime suspect at all. Mary certainly knows how to lull you into a false sense of sleuthy security then she switches it all up a notch and your murderer is not who you were so sure it was. I have no idea how she creates such masterful plots with characters that just draw you in right from the off.

Susan is a beautifully caring person and will not let Colette’s murder go unsolved. After all Colette utters probably some of the saddest words that I have ever read “no one cares about the likes of me. I walk out of a room and I am forgotten” Susan is not ever going to let Colette be forgotten. I must admit I did find myself shouting at Susan, telling her to stop telling the dog walking group members her suspicions, these are the very people she feels that one of, could be responsible for the death.

All the characters are created vividly and you get a real sense of the joy that they all feel living on such a beautiful Island. Worlds are about to be turned upside down. Lives will change irrevocably but will Susan solve the mystery and make sure Colette is never forgotten? There’s only one way to find out and trust me you will not be disappointed.

Author Bio –

Author Bio –

Mary Grand writes gripping, page-turning suspense novels, with a dark and often murderous underside. She grew up in Wales, was for many years a teacher of deaf children and now lives on the Isle of Wight.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormarygrand

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authormaryg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marygrandwriter/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/MaryGrandNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-grand

With Thanks for the Advance Copy to …..

Rachel Gilbey

Mary Grand

Boldwood Books

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Book Review “The Summer House” by Keri Beevis

BOOK REVIEW (BLOGTOUR) NO : 170

Psychological Thriller

Stand alone

Length : 359

Publisher : Boldwood Books

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB & Purchase link

The Summer House

Mead House was once our childhood home.

Despite my fears, I always knew we would have to return to face the demons of our past.

Back to the place where it happened, to where, as carefree teenagers, we lost our elder sister in the most brutal of circumstances.

As executors of our grandmother’s will, my twin brother, Ollie, and I needed to empty the house for resale.

What I didn’t expect to discover was my sister’s secret journal that contained her most private thoughts and shocking dark secrets.

Now I am questioning everything that I saw that night. Did I get it wrong, who I saw?

Did my evidence send an innocent man, my then boyfriend’s brother, to jail for the last 17 years?

I know I have no choice. If I want to find answers, I will have to go back to that fateful night my sister died. When she made her last visit to the summer house.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3QgukFa

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 5 STARS

Good grief The Summer House starts out full on and just doesn’t stop! Its an incredible psychological thriller with so many artful twists that you do not lose attention at all. To coin a phrase, a total page turner.

Keri is a brilliant creator of suspense. One minute you’re thinking “phew that’s over” then bam! she hits you with another little snippet of information that turns all your senses upside-down. A truly terrific read with characters that you either love or instantly hate. Lana is strong and opinionated. She is not happy to return to Mead House where her sister Camille died in an horrific manner. However when she does return things begin to go wrong for Lana, so very very long. Her twin brother Ollie comes across as a bit entitled and just wants to sell up and go back to his London life. He arrives with the rather dreadful Elise, his Fiancée.

Lana discovers facts about her dead sister that could throw the whole case on its head and prove that Sebastian is after all innocent. Lana meets with Sebs brother Xav who she dated all those years ago. He is hostile and doesn’t want to be near her. Then he witnesses a shocking incident and he comes to Lana’s rescue. The proverbial knight in shining armour. I’m saying no more, no spoilers here.

The Summer deserves 5 stars it is fascinating and creative, full of suspects, twists and turns that leave you drained of all energy after being fully immersed in this epic thriller. Just BRILLIANT!

Author Bio –

Keri Beevis is the internationally bestselling author of Dying To Tell, Deep Dark Secrets, Trust No One, Every Little Breath and The People Next Door. Dying To Tell reached no. 1 in the Amazon chart in Australia and was a top 25 hit in the UK. She lives in Norfolk, along with her two naughty kitties, Ellie and Lola, and a plentiful supply of red wine (her writing fuel).

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: Keri Beevis – Author | Facebook

Twitter: Keri Beevis (@keribeevis) / Twitter

Instagram: Keri Beevis (@keri.beevis) • Instagram photos and videos

Bookbub profile: Keri Beevis Books – BookBub

With Thanks for the Advance Copy ……………

Rachel Gilbey

Keri Beevis

Boldwood Books

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Book Review “Where the Water Flows” by Romola Farr

BOOK REVIEW (BLOGTOUR) NO : 169

Fiction

Book 3 of 4 in Hawksmead series

Length : 397

Independently Published

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

Where the Water Flows

It had been a long, hot summer followed by a very wet autumn. The River Hawk, lying to the north of a former little mill town, was in full flood but nobody imagined the catastrophe that lay ahead.
Not the elderly couple who created a beautiful memorial garden that would become a lake.
Not the opera singer who found a friend who would risk all to save her life.
Not the owner of Wax Polish who would battle to rescue her first love.
Not the new parents who would be overwhelmed and torn apart.
And certainly not two drama students whose lives would change forever.

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Water-Flows-Hawksmead-Book-ebook/dp/B0BRNJM4LL

US – https://www.amazon.com/Where-Water-Flows-Hawksmead-Book-ebook/dp/B0BRNJM4LL

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~4 STARS

I had not realised that this was book 3 in a series but actually that doesn’t take away from the book at all. It works well as a stand alone. The drama and stories grab you with a big impact that holds your attention well. Where the Water Flows has a unique plot line and an immersive nature created by the writer that I really enjoyed.

Covid is brought in as another level of crisis and bonded me to the characters. We all lived through that awful time and it brings home how life just has to carry on and we keep going not matter how hard life can be for us. Of course there is a wonderful dog, Hector who is a great little character. There is a great empathy created for the characters, from fear of returning to society to how can a community deal with such a huge catastrophe. Everything is flooded and how on earth can they all come back from this? Do they all come back from this?

Where the Water Flows is unquestionably one of those books that once you’re a few chapters in you really don’t want to put it down. An author to look out for that’s for sure.

Author Bio – NO PHOTO AVAILABLE

Romola Farr first trod the boards on the West End stage aged sixteen and continued to work for the next eighteen years in theatre, TV and film – and as a photographic model. A trip to Hollywood led to the sale of her first screenplay and a successful change of direction as a screenwriter and playwright. Bridge To Eternity was her debut novel, and Breaking through the Shadows and Where the Water Flows are standalone sequels. All three novels are set in the fictional town of Hawksmead.

Romola Farr is a nom de plume.

With Thanks for the Advance Copy to …

Rachel Gilbey

Romola Farr

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Book Review “Maid of Steel” by kate Baker

BOOK REVIEW (BLOGTOUR) NO : 168

Historical Romance

Standalone

Length : 271 pages

Publisher : The Book Guild

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

Maid Of Steel

It’s 1911 and, against her mother’s wishes, quiet New Yorker Emma dreams of winning the right to vote. She is sent away by her parents in the hope distance will curb her desire to be involved with the growing suffrage movement and told to spend time learning about where her grandparents came from.

Across the Atlantic – Queenstown, southern Ireland – hotelier Thomas dreams of being loved, even noticed, by his actress wife, Alice. On their wedding day, Alice’s father had assured him that adoration comes with time. It’s been eight years. But Alice has plans of her own and they certainly don’t include the fight for equality or her dull husband.

Emma’s arrival in Ireland leads her to discover family secrets and become involved in the Irish Women’s Suffrage Society in Cork. However, Emma’s path to suffrage was never meant to lead to a forbidden love affair…

Purchase Links

Publisher’s link: https://www.bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/book/486/maid-of-steel-SMwd/

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/191535269X/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/191535269X/ Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/maid-of-steel/kate-baker/9781915352699

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~4 STARS

As a debut novel Maid of Steel is fabulous. You are hooked from the first chapter. Emma, the main character is written with care and although this is not based on a real person you absolutely take away a new found admiration for all those involved with the Suffrage movement. Emma is so passionate that her parents would rather send her far away than have her involved in such a movement. She arrives in Ireland with trepidation but a new found level of independence and she is determined to live her life her way. She is a brave and strong woman.

I felt the story was paced just right and as a reader I was engrossed in every aspect of the story, chracters big or small all had a part to play. The descriptions are brilliant but thankfully not overly flowery. Everything is set just right. Romance, friendships, drama and historical knowledge that definitely leaves you wanting more.

Author Bio

Kate Baker wrote terrible holiday diaries as a child, which her husband regularly asks her to read out loud for their entertainment. She has since improved and has written with intent since 2018. Maid of Steel is her second novel; the first is lining drawers in the vegetable rack at their farmhouse.

With Thanks for the Advance copy to …………

Rachel Gilbey

Kate Baker

The Book Guild

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Book Review “Where We Belong” by Sarah Bennett

BOOK REVIEW (BLOGTOUR) NO : 167

Contemporary Fiction

New series

Length : 345 pages

Publisher : Boldwood Books

SYNOPSIS/BOOK BLURB

Where We Belong

On paper, Hope Travers has an idyllic life.

Living in a bustling farmhouse with her mum, aunt and uncles, cousin and too many dogs to count, surrounded by the breath-taking Cotswolds countryside, she knows she is privileged and protected.

But all families have secrets, and the Travers family are no exception. Their farmhouse sits in the grounds of the Juniper Meadows estate, passed down through the generations and now being made to pay its own way with a myriad of businesses and projects. When a construction crew uncover what appear to be historical ruins, the history of the Travers family is put under ever closer scrutiny as a dig gets underway.

Hope may have found a blossoming romance with local archaeologist Cameron Ferguson who is running the dig, but when things start to go wrong around the estate and family secrets begin to be revealed, Hope wonders if she’s made a big mistake in digging up the past.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3jQEYqg

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 4 STARS

A cracking start to a new series. With delightful new characters and a fair few dramas along the way. Plenty of new friendships to get to know and love, humour, secrets, it’s got everything for that gentle read that just flows brilliantly and you really care about what happens to them all.

There is great community feel about Juniper Meadows that I am sure will keep readers of this series yearning for more. Will Hope and Cameron find a long lasting love? maybe just a fling? Will Hopes new home be everything she’s always dreamed of or will the secrets that unfold become just to much to bear?

I really enjoy Sarah Bennetts writing style. She creates characters that are realistic and believable. Her plot lines are superb. Not far fetched and ridiculous, nope she keeps everyone and everything grounded likeable and credible. The perfect read for a cold spring day full of promise, heart-warming with just the right amount of intrigue.

Author Bio –

Sarah Bennett is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction trilogies including those set in Butterfly Cove and Lavender Bay. Born and raised in a military family she is happily married to her own Officer and when not reading or writing enjoys sailing the high seas.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: Sarah Bennett Author | Facebook

Twitter: Sarah Bennett (@Sarahlou_writes) / Twitter

Instagram: Sarah Bennett (@sarahlbennettauthor) • Instagram photos and videos

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SarahBennettnews

Bookbub profile: Sarah Bennett Books – BookBub

With Thanks for Advance Copy to ……………….

Rachel Gilbey https://www.rachelsrandomresources.com/

Sarah Bennett https://bit.ly/SarahBennettnews

Boldwood Books https://www.boldwoodbooks.com/

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